2 Birmingham Homes Steeped in Luxury and Natural Beauty

Alex is a Southern writer known for hunting down delicious stories and traveling the world with hunger. Her passions and interests lie in food, travel, interior design and inspiring people, and her dream is to eat a dozen oysters a day.

When it comes to desirable neighborhoods in which to settle down, Birmingham delivers, offering everything from the industrial vibe of downtown living to the serene settings of Indian Springs and Shoal Creek. Today, we’re indulging our interest in the latter as we look at two estates; one in Indian Springs and the other in Shoal Creek. While different in many ways, the two properties are both luxurious and provide access to countless amenities, picturesque surroundings and notable architectural detailing. Take a look!

Indian Springs Spectacular

Indian Springs is a family-friendly community with an unmatched atmosphere that is as beautiful as it is tranquil. Conveniently located only minutes from downtown Birmingham and Hoover, Indian Springs has so much to offer — including beautiful homes.

“Resting S Ranch is a 35 +/- acre estate in the heart of protected and cherished Indian Springs Village,” says realtor Pam Ausley. “It is a coveted residential area that was developed as an equestrian community focused on preserving, protecting and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens to enjoy.”

This home is nestled in the rolling hills of Oak Mountain, just south of Birmingham.

The home is timeless in design and aesthetic appeal.

Surrounded by lush greenery and mature trees, this property is breathtaking. Upon entering the gates, you travel the long, winding driveway, leading you through pastures enclosed by stacked stone Historical Registered fencing, from Lexington, Kentucky. The home, an architectural masterpiece, is timeless in design and aesthetic appeal, with a stately exterior of Spanish cedar and stone as well as a copper and slate roof.

“Set against the backdrop of Oak Mountain and the 10,000-acre Oak Mountain Park, the home sits so beautifully it gives one the impression that it has always been there,” Pam tells us. “The artistic setting and art-quality finishes of the home are paired with state-of-the-art electronics (Savant system) and commercial grade building.”

The home features many custom spaces, including a commercial kitchen, observation tower, upstairs sleeping porch, elevator and craft room.

A custom, hand-made 12-foot door welcomes you into a two-story space that will impress. Museum-quality details include a coffered ceiling in the living area, antique lighting, white oak floors, San Juan custom molding and millwork, custom French cast bronze hardware thought-out, curved staircase with walnut treads and maple banister. But the most eye-catching feature is the 18th-century mantle on the 54-inch fireplace. Additionally, a Louis XV bronze and crystal chandelier hangs from the 20-foot ceilings, and windows and French doors line the room.

“This room is perfectly designed for displaying artwork,” Pam says.

There are so many architectural details to note in this room. From the coffered ceiling to the French doors, every detail delights.

The view from above showcases the scale of the space.

An expansive keeping room, with stone fireplace, opens to the dining area, kitchen and commercial kitchen. Wood ceilings and stone accents warm the space, which is bright and open, thanks to windows that let in copious amounts of natural light. The kitchen features a breakfast bar, eating area, island and spacious pantry, all of which make it an ideal space for entertaining and family gatherings, large and small.

The first-floor master suite offers an opportunity for privacy and relaxation with a steam room, exercise room, coffee bar and a private portico that overlooks the property and surrounding mountains; it is one of the best spots in the home to watch the sunrise. The master bathroom features a large, stone shower, as well as finishes and fixtures by Sherle Wagner.

While the home is the centerpiece of the estate, the grounds are nonpareil and include pecan and fruit orchard, blackberry/muscadine, herb, vegetable, wildflower and sunflower gardens.

This home is ideal for entertaining any size crowd. The dining room seats 16, and the kitchen and keeping room open to the rear terrace.

The kitchen/keeping room has 20-foot ceilings, yet it is warm and friendly with a large stone fireplace.

The home includes a fully equipped commercial kitchen allowing for easy entertaining on a grand scale.

The master suite includes an exercise room, steam room, hobby and craft room, his-and-her bathrooms and a private portico.

Shoal Creek Stunner

“Shoal Creek is famous for its superlative golf course and country club. However, the neighborhood surrounding the course has been a treasure reserved for a few families (only 115 at present) who’ve made this nature-lovers’ paradise their home,” Pam shares. “There is a rare, old-fashioned sense of community which complements the total privacy enjoyed by every homeowner.”

At the end of a gentle, winding drive through a hardwood forest in Shoal Creek, you will find this 7.8-acre estate with its stately, welcoming five-bedroom home. Upon entry, you’ll find living spaces that are accessed through arched doorways, all of which are connected with antique, heart pine flooring, rare and exceptionally beautiful rescued from the Gulf and milled in South Alabama. Rustic design is found throughout, as elements like pine beams and wood floors set the tone, one room leading seamlessly to the next.

A stunning, arched door leads you into the home, and the theme continues with large, arched openings connecting each of the central living spaces.

This living area, complete with limestone fireplace, is the perfect place for the family to unwind.

Rare Pecky Cyprus paneling makes the library extra cozy.

The corner cabinet is from a French castle (and will remain with the house).

Large windows let in natural light and showcase the home’s natural surroundings.

Texture and warmth are found in the kitchen and keeping room.

Chefs will be delighted to take advantage of this space.

The sink is one of our favorite elements in the kitchen.

The butler’s pantry features additional storage space, countertops and appliances.

Window seats throughout the home add to the homey ambiance and provide storage.

Wooden beams, “Forgotten pines” retrieved from the Swanee River, connect the two spaces.

The stone fireplace is the focal point of this room.

In addition to the kitchen and living spaces, the main level is home to a study, with pecky cypress paneling, and a master suite, which has adjoining front and rear terraces and an exercise room. The second floor has two bedrooms and a family room, plus the laundry room. The guest house offers an additional bedroom, bathroom, great room and a two-car garage.

With patios, both covered and uncovered, there’s no shortage of outdoor living space. And thanks to the lush landscaping surrounding the home, the private and peaceful setting is perfect for both relaxing and entertaining.

The master bedroom is a private retreat for homeowners.

Extra privacy can be enjoyed in the sitting area within the master suite.

Adjoining the luxurious master bathroom are his-and-her closets, which are exceptional!

Additional bedrooms are spacious and bright.

We love the countless windows overlooking the grounds.

Step outside to see more of what this home has to offer.

This fountain is made from sugar cane pot used for making syrup from farmer Henry Heniz Golden Foundry in Columbus, GA.